Kathmandu Valley

travel wonder in Nepal

Why
Kathmandu Valley
is special

Kathmandu Valley in Nepal is remote and exotic. It's walled by nearby hills and, in the distance, by the ever snow-capped Himalayan Mountains.

Kathmandu

Valley is special

The Valley is still sprinkled with villages and farms seemingly untouched by time.

Although much of the capital city of Kathmandu has suffered from recent characterless urban sprawl, many intricately carved Buddhist temples and an old royal Nepalese palace survive around Durbar Square in the old section of Kathmandu City.

One building dates back to the 12th century - and the narrow atmospheric streets even earlier.

Another local jewel is Swayambhunath Temple, which peacefully sits on a nearby hill overlooking Kathmandu City.

Swayambhunath Temple is crowned with a conical tower. The four sides of its base are painted with the seeing eyes of Buddha (see photo). This image has become the travel poster symbol of Nepal.

Patan and Bhaktapur are the two other major cities of Kathmandu Valley - and seasoned travelers laud them.

Like Kathmandu City, Patan and Bhaktapur have magnificent ancient temples and shrines - and even their own Durbar Squares.

Unlike Kathmandu City, their pace is slow, as in olden days.

View my other top 100

Wonders of the World

I hope your Nepal travel dreams come true - and that 

my Kathmandu Valley page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications